CheapTickets.com Announces its Top BBQ Destinations for Fourth of July Travel

Atlanta, GA is the No. 1 Spot to Travel for Great BBQ and Celebrate America’s Birthday in Style

Chicago, IL, June 22, 2006 – During the Fourth of July, nothing goes better with glittering fireworks and hot summer fun than a delicious barbeque feast. Forget slaving away over your own grill and plan an escape to one of the top barbeque destinations with CheapTickets.com, a leading online travel agency that knows “the less you pay, the better it feels.” These cities offer more than just a traditional holiday. Our top barbeque destinations also offer mouthwatering meals and unique ways to ring in Independence Day.

CHEAPTICKETS TOP SEVEN BBQ DESTINATIONS

According to CheapTickets’ staff picks of the best destinations for tasty BBQ, our air booking data identifies the top seven spots where people are headed over the 4th of July holiday to mix food and fun. Whether it’s ribs or a pulled-pork sandwich, CheapTickets also recommends one of the best restaurants in each city to find good barbeque this Fourth of July.

CheapTickets Top BBQ Destinations¹

Destination
Best BBQ Joint

1
Atlanta, GA
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack

2
Charlotte, NC
Carolina Country BBQ

3
New Orleans, LA
ZydeQue

4
Austin, TX
The Salt Lick

5
Nashville, TN
Corky’s Ribs and BBQ

6
Savannah, GA
Sweet Leaf Smokery

7
Louisville, KY
Mark’s Feed Store BBQ

¹BBQ destinations were nominated by CheapTickets Staff and ranked using aggregate air booking data. Rankings are based on CheapTickets bookings as of 6-14-06 for travel between 6-30-06 through 7-5-06.

Eat, drink and be merry this Fourth of July when traveling to the following seven destinations. Find out why CheapTickets staff selected these top spots for great BBQ; and why Atlanta landed the in the number one spot.

ATLANTA, Georgia- Home to years of American history, Atlanta also has some of the best barbeque around. If ribs are what you crave, follow the locals to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. The atmosphere is fun and casual and customers are encouraged to get their hands dirty with some dripping ribs. And, you can even enjoy live blues. With Fat Matt’s in town, how could Atlanta not land the No. 1 BBQ destination spot.

For Fourth of July fun, visitors can start their day with the annual Peachtree Road Race – the largest 10K in the world – and finish up with the Salute 2 America parade and fireworks in Centennial Olympic Park.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – If you are looking for a little more from your barbeque, then look no further than Carolina Country Barbeque in Charlotte. Piled-high portions of hickory-smoked meats smothered in tomato based barbeque sauce are sure to satisfy. Whether it is lunch or dinner time, Carolina’s is the place to enjoy a friendly, “country” ambience and mouth-watering BBQ. Be sure to take a bottle of their famous sauce home to savor the memory.

On the Fourth, choose from events such as the Red, White and Boom fireworks show and the WBT Sky Show that will feature an impressive fireworks display after the Knights minor league baseball game!

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – Feasting your eyes on all that New Orleans has to offer will surely make you hungry. Head over to ZydeQue, a local hotspot that assimilates barbeque into traditional New Orleans cuisine. Traditional Louisiana smoking techniques combined with fresh ingredients, top quality meats and a Cajun kick make this meal memorable.

To add to your 4th of BBQ vacation, be sure to attend the New Orleans sixteenth annual Fourth On The River show for a celebration of red white and blue!

AUSTIN, Texas – Nothing is bigger than Texas barbeque. This Fourth of July, indulge in some of the best southern award-winning barbeque in Driftwood, Texas, just a short hill country drive from Austin. Be sure to make a trip to The Salt Lick, a local establishment since 1967 with barbeque so good, their products are now sold online and in stores. However, nothing compares to the first-hand experience of eating their barbeque fresh off the open pit!

The best Independence Day celebration around is the annual Austin concert and fireworks show, featuring the Austin Symphony.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee- Home of great country music legends and some of the south’s greatest barbeque, Nashville makes for a great Fourth of July destination. Looking to whet your appetite? Corky’s Ribs and BBQ is a must! Though they do not take reservations, it is worth the wait to indulge in their slow-cooked pork shoulders and ribs.

This Fourth of July, join a celebration that is predicted to make history! The Nashville Grand Parade will start at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and travel to Riverfront Park for the third largest fireworks display in the nation.

SAVANNAH, Georgia – Known for its classic southern charm, historic landscapes and comforting food, Savannah is a perfect destination for your Fourth of July getaway. For those who love a traditional fireworks display, Savannah annually lights up the sky with their Fantastic Fourth of July on the River.

Before leaving this southern paradise, be sure to visit one of its local gems. Sweet Leaf Smokery and Eatery is known by the locals as having the best BBQ in town. Located in the Historic District, go to Sweet Leaf’s if you want to indulge in succulent pulled pork with a side of corn pudding, their original Cuban Panini, or an inventive smoked salmon BLT. Their wine and beer selection is small but individually selected to compliment the food. No matter what your taste, Sweet Leaf Smokery will have what you crave.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – For those looking for some fast-paced vacation fun, visit Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby. Be sure to celebrate the Fourth of July and attend the two-day festival at Waterfront Park featuring free fireworks and entertainment.

Should all the sightseeing spark a craving for barbeque, allow your feet to take you to Mark’s Feed Store BBQ where you’ll find historically good Louisville food. Winner of Louisville Magazine’s “Best of Louisville,” Mark’s takes a different take on BBQ with a mouth-watering, mustard-based sauce over hickory-smoked chicken or pork. Be sure to leave room for their classically delicious baked beans and buttermilk pie.

For more information on 4th of July travel deals and more, visit: http://www.cheaptickets.com/App/ViewHotelMerchDeal?deal_id=hot_July4th_061206&z=8aa4&r=2d .

*Sample rates shown were accurate and available on CheapTickets.com on 6/20/06 for travel from 7/1/06-7/4/06 and may not represent current prices because or real-time pricing booking engine is constantly updating prices and availability. Vacation package prices shown are for one adult, based on double-occupancy, include applicable taxes and fees, and will vary by selected day of departure, departure city, length of stay, hotel selected, hotel room category, and availability.

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